Contents
Business advantages
Low fees
Bitcoin transactions usually have very small fees (often under a few cents). Avoid the 2-3% fees charged by credit card processors.
Fraud prevention
Bitcoin payments are irreversible and secure, meaning no fraudulent chargebacks. Funds arrive in minutes.
International payments
Receive payments from anywhere in the world without worrying about exchange rates or international fees.
Access new markets
Accept payments from the growing global community of Bitcoin users who prefer to pay with cryptocurrency.
Did you know?
Major companies like Microsoft, AT&T, Overstock, and Namecheap accept Bitcoin payments.
Start accepting Bitcoin
Adding Bitcoin as a payment option is easier than most businesses expect. Here are the most common ways to start accepting Bitcoin:
Bitcoin payment processors
The easiest way to start accepting Bitcoin is through a payment processor that handles the technical details for you.
Direct Bitcoin payments
For businesses that want full control, you can accept Bitcoin directly to your wallet with no intermediaries.
Point of Sale solutions
There are POS systems that make accepting Bitcoin in physical stores as easy as credit cards.
Payment processing
Bitcoin payment processors allow merchants to accept Bitcoin payments while receiving fiat currency if desired. These services typically:
- Handle all Bitcoin-related technical details
- Convert Bitcoin to local currency automatically (optional)
- Provide merchant tools and plugins for e-commerce platforms
- Offer daily settlements to your bank account
Payment processors charge fees that are often significantly lower than credit card processors, typically around 1% per transaction.
Pricing with Bitcoin
When accepting Bitcoin, businesses have two main options for pricing:
Dynamic pricing
Show prices in your local currency and convert to Bitcoin at the time of payment. The Bitcoin amount adjusts automatically to price fluctuations.
Fixed Bitcoin prices
Set prices directly in Bitcoin. Your income fluctuates with BTC's exchange rate. Best for businesses that want to hold BTC.
Accounting & taxes
For tax purposes, Bitcoin is typically treated as property rather than currency in most jurisdictions. Businesses accepting Bitcoin should:
- Record the market value in local currency at the time of each transaction
- Track basis for capital gains/losses if holding Bitcoin
- Consult with a tax professional familiar with cryptocurrency regulations
Many existing accounting software packages now support Bitcoin transactions, and specialized crypto accounting services are available.
Legal concerns
The legality of accepting Bitcoin varies by jurisdiction, but in most countries it is perfectly legal to accept Bitcoin as payment. Businesses should:
- Check local regulations regarding Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies
- Consider if they need any special licenses or registrations
- Consult a legal counsel if operating in highly regulated industries
In general, accepting Bitcoin is less regulated than transmitting traditional money, but compliance with tax laws is always required.
Merchant tools
Numerous tools are available to help businesses integrate Bitcoin payments:
E-commerce plugins
Plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and other platforms.
POS systems
Point of Sale solutions for physical retail locations.
Payment buttons
Simple buttons to add Bitcoin payments to any website.
Invoicing tools
Generate Bitcoin invoices for service-based businesses.
Donation widgets
For nonprofits and content creators accepting contributions.
API solutions
For businesses needing custom integration.